BURST
A Surrey home was shot at early Sunday in what police believe to be an extortion-related shooting — the second time in less than two months the residence has been targeted.
The shooting occurred around 1:40 a.m. Sunday at a home near 94 Avenue and 127 Street, said the Surrey Police Service.
Police were alerted to the shots fired incident at approximately 12:30 p.m. later that day. After talking to neighbours and witnesses, investigators determined the shooting had taken place about 11 hours earlier.
“The residence was occupied at the time of the shots fired and fortunately no persons were injured,” said police in a news release on Monday.
The same home was previously shot on April 13. Investigators identified a suspect vehicle, searched a home, and arrested Jaskaran Singh Saroye, 27. He was charged earlier this month for discharging a firearm into a place knowing or being reckless as to whether a person was inside. He remains in custody.
Last week, Chief Norm Lipinski said extortion activity has declined in recent months but remain a priority.
In April, there were 20 extortion threats reported to police, down from 44 in January, but up from 17 incidents in February and 14 in March. Extortion-related shots fired calls have also decreased from 10 in January to two in April, totalling 16 in the first four months of the year.
“These lower numbers do not lessen the impact on victims, but they do show that sustained enforcement, prevention and community engagement efforts are making a difference,” said Lipinski.
Surrey Police is asking anyone with information or CCTV or dashcam footage of suspicious activity in the area before or after Sunday’s shooting is asked to contact police at 604-599-0502.